United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 4, 1997, in two states and one territory. Republicans retained both seats.
Election results States State Incumbent Party Firstelected Result Candidates New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman Republican 1993 Incumbent re-elected. Virginia George Allen Republican 1993 Incumbent term-limited.New governor elected.Republican hold.
Territory State Incumbent Party Firstelected Result Candidates Northern Mariana Islands Froilan Tenorio Democratic 1993 Incumbent lost re-election.New governor elected.Republican gain.
Closest races States where the margin of victory was under 5%: New Jersey, 1.1%
New Jersey
The 1997 New Jersey gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1997. In the Democratic primary, state senator and Woodbridge Township mayor James McGreevey defeated pre-U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews by 9,993 votes. In the general election, Republican Governor Christine Todd Whitman defeated McGreevey by 26,953 votes. Whitman won 46.87% of the vote, with Democratic nominee James McGreevey receiving 45.82% and Libertarian Murray Sabrin receiving 4.7%.
Virginia
The 1997 Virginia gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1997. The incumbent Governor, George Allen, was barred from seeking a second term due to Virginia's unique term limits law. The Republican candidate, Jim Gilmore, the Attorney General of Virginia defeated the Democratic nominee, Don Beyer, the incumbent Lieutenant Governor.
Territories Northern Mariana Islands
References